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Milia

Milia Treatment in Melbourne (Ivanhoe + Diamond Creek)

Tiny white “hard bumps” (often around the eyes) — harmless, common, and usually easy to treat safely.

Milia (singular: milium) are small benign keratin cysts that sit just under the surface of the skin. They look like firm white or yellowish bumps and are most common on the face, especially around the eyes, cheeks and nose. (1–3)

They are not acne, not an infection, and not dangerous — but they can be persistent and frustrating.

[Book a 20 minute appointment with Dr Chris]

Key takeaways

  • Milia are harmless keratin cysts — they don’t “turn into anything” serious. (1–3)
  • The most common location is around the eyes, where DIY removal can cause scarring. (1–3)
  • They form when keratin gets trapped under the surface during normal skin turnover or after irritation. (1–3)
  • Professional removal is usually quick and gives the best cosmetic outcome.

Jump links

  • What are milia?
  • Why do milia happen?
  • Common locations (especially eyelids)
  • When to get bumps checked
  • Treatment options (what works)
  • Our in-clinic approach (extraction, peels, laser)
  • How to reduce recurrence (routine tweaks)
  • FAQs
  • Book

What are milia?

Milia are tiny cysts filled with keratin (a natural skin protein). They sit under a thin layer of skin, which is why they look like little “white pearls.” (1–3)

They are not pimples:

  • no bacteria
  • no pus
  • usually no redness (unless irritated) (2,3)

In newborns, milia are very common and usually resolve on their own. In teens and adults, they often persist unless removed. (2,3)

Why do milia happen?

Milia form when keratin becomes trapped under the skin instead of shedding normally. (2,3)

Common triggers include:

  • naturally “slower” skin shedding in some people
  • heavy or occlusive skincare (thick creams/ointments in milia-prone areas) (2,3)
  • sun damage and thicker outer skin (in some cases)
  • skin trauma or healing (burns, blistering rashes, procedures) (2,3)
  • long-term topical steroid use in certain areas (2)

Most of the time, milia are simply a benign cosmetic nuisance.

Common locations

  • eyelids and under-eye skin
  • cheeks and temples
  • nose
  • forehead (1–3)

Eyelid milia deserve extra caution. The skin is delicate and scarring risk is higher, which is why professional removal is recommended.

When to get bumps checked

Book a review if:

  • you’re not sure whether bumps are milia, acne, syringomas, warts, or another lesion
  • bumps are inflamed, bleeding, or rapidly changing
  • lesions are on the eyelid margin or very close to the eye

If you’re unsure what a bump is in general, see Other Dermatological Conditions.

Treatment options (what works)

1) Leave them alone (sometimes reasonable)

Some milia resolve spontaneously, but adult milia often persist for months. (2,3)

2) Skincare adjustments (prevention-focused)

If you form milia repeatedly, prevention is usually about:

  • avoiding very heavy creams around the eyes
  • using non-comedogenic products
  • gentle, consistent exfoliation away from the eyelids (2,3)

CTA — want to stop them recurring?
Milia often come down to product texture, occlusion, and the “right amount” of exfoliation for your skin. An expert dermal therapist can review your routine and adjust it so you’re not stuck in a cycle of recurring bumps.

[Book a 40 minute dermal therapist appointment]

3) Professional extraction (most common and effective)

This is the gold-standard day-to-day treatment:

  • a sterile micro-opening is made in the surface
  • the keratin plug is removed cleanly
  • healing is usually fast with minimal downtime (2,3)

Important: milia usually cannot be “popped” safely at home. Attempting DIY removal commonly causes trauma, pigment marks, or scarring — especially near the eyes. (2,3)

4) Chemical peels (selected cases)

Helpful when you have:

  • multiple small milia
  • rough texture and blocked superficial keratin
  • milia outside the eyelid margin
    Peels can reduce recurrence by normalising shedding. (1,2)

5) Laser (selected cases, especially clusters or difficult locations)

Laser can be a precise option for:

  • clustered milia
  • recurring milia
  • carefully selected periocular areas where precision matters (1,4)

For an overview of how ablative lasers work, see Laser & Light Treatments hub.

Our in-clinic approach

In your visit we focus on:

1.confirming the diagnosis (milia vs look-alikes)

2.choosing the safest removal method for your location (especially eyelids)

3.building a prevention plan (product choices + routine)

If you have barrier irritation or dermatitis around the eyes, controlling that irritation can reduce recurrence (see Eczema if relevant).

How to reduce recurrence (without over-treating)

A practical approach that usually works well:

  • keep cleansing gentle
  • avoid thick, occlusive eye creams if you’re prone to milia
  • use targeted exfoliation on thicker facial skin (cheeks/forehead) if tolerated
  • don’t scrub — irritation can worsen the cycle (2,3)

FAQs

Are milia dangerous?

No. They’re benign cysts and are purely cosmetic. (1–3)

Can I remove milia at home?

It’s not recommended, particularly near the eyes. Professional extraction is safer and usually leaves a better cosmetic result. (2,3)

Why do I keep getting them?

Often it’s a combination of skin type, slower shedding, and product occlusion. A routine reset usually reduces recurrence. (2,3)

Book

Choose the booking option that matches what you want:

1) Assessment and advice
[Book a 20 minute appointment with Dr Chris]

2) Assessment + routine optimisation
[Book combined appointment] (automed descriptor: 20 minute appointment with Dr Chris followed by 40 minute dermal therapist appointment)

3) If you want potential same-day treatment (including laser)
[Book same-day treatment pathway] (automed descriptor: 20 minute Dr Chris appointment + 40 minute dermal therapist appointment in SP Dynamis room)

Ivanhoe: Unit 1, 1065 Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe VIC 3079
Diamond Creek: Shop 12, 67 Main Hurstbridge Road, Diamond Creek VIC 3089

References

1.DermNet NZ. Milia. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/milia

2.Cleveland Clinic. Milia (milk spots): causes & treatment. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17868-milia

3.StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). Milia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560481/

4.Voth H, Reinhard G. Periocular milia en plaque successfully treated by erbium:YAG laser ablation. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2011. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21314210/